Lawmakers Don’t Have To Say Which Staffers Have To Use Health Exchange
Members of Congress can choose who -- if any -- among their staffs go on the health law's insurance exchange.Sen. David Vitter, R-La., objects to the fact that they don't have to announce those decisions.
The Associated Press: Congress Governs Self Under 'Obamacare,' With Discretion, Coyness About who Is Covered And How
For House members and senators, it's about a section of the law that may -- or may not -- require lawmakers to toss some staffers off of their federal health insurance and into the Affordable Care Act's exchanges. The verdict from congressional officers is ultimately that lawmakers, as employers, have discretion over who among their staffs gets ejected, and who stays. And they don't have to say who, how many or why (Kellman, 11/1).
Politico: David Vitter Blasts Obamacare 'Loophole'
Sen. David Vitter wants members of Congress to disclose whether they've exempted their staffs from joining the Obamacare exchanges. The Louisiana Republican is upset that lawmakers are being given discretion to decide which staffers will be pushed onto the District of Columbia's health insurance exchange and which will be able to keep their current health insurance plans. He said that amounted to a "loophole" (Gibson, 10/31).